Susan G Komen Race for the Cure Ozark

2019

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April 2019 | Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | 11 For 30 years, the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute has provided high-quality, research- driven cancer care for thousands of patients from every corner of Arkansas and around the world. It is now the institute's research focus that propels it toward the country's most distinguished status for cancer centers: National Cancer Institute (NCI) Designation. The first eight NCI Comprehensive Cancer Centers were named in 1973, with the goal of getting research results to the maximum number of people in the shortest possible time. As of 2019, there are 70 NCI Designated Cancer Centers in the United States, with some of the closest to Arkansas being in Memphis (which only provides pediatric care), Dallas and Oklahoma City. "Arkansans deserve to have a designated cancer center within their home state, and we are dedicated to making that dream become a reality," said Cancer Institute Interim Director Laura Hutchins, M.D. To achieve designation, cancer centers undergo a highly competitive assessment process that demonstrates an outstanding depth and breadth of research in three areas: basic laboratory, patient/ clinical and population-based. Designated centers also are expected to transform their research into measurable clinical outcomes for patients. As an applicant for NCI Designation, UAMS has both the opportunity and requirement to show how it will conduct cancer research to improve and save lives throughout Arkansas. This is particularly vital, as no one else is doing cancer research specifically for Arkansans. By examining our state's cancer demographics, the UAMS Cancer Institute is uniquely positioned to impact cancer quality of life and survivorship here in Arkansas. It also will improve UAMS' efforts to reach those who have historically been unable to access advanced cancer care and prevention services, including many Arkansans in rural areas. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 44 Arkansans a day were diagnosed with cancer in 2018, and 6,910 died of the disease. Achieving NCI Designation would provide both UAMS and Arkansas with multiple benefits: • Significantly increased ability to receive federal and other research funding • Improved access to clinical trials and new therapies unavailable elsewhere in the state • Creation of new, high-paying health care jobs • Increased visibility and research collaboration opportunities with leading cancer treatment teams • Expansion of Arkansas as a health care destination In addition, it is projected that NCI Designation would create more than 1,500 new jobs over five years and have an economic impact of $72 million to the state annually. paid advertisement UAMS Strives for National Cancer Institute Designation

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